How Long Does it Take for SEO to Work?

Good question! I'm glad I asked!

Not all websites are created equal, so it depends on the website. The first question is, do you have patience? If it were easy, then everyone's website would rank high... oh wait, not every website can rank high - so it must not be too easy. And not every keyword is searched the same either. So we've got a lot of variables in our equation. Some people don't quite understand that...

Give SEO Time! (searchenginewatch.com)

Like last week, when I received a request for proposal from a ticket reselling company. In their RFP, they said they understood that their business was highly competitive for organic search.

...They would give the SEO firm three months to achieve results. Their exact words: "...have the budget to do that [compete with the big boys] for the first few months to see if it works out."

...I guarantee you... that someone will send this guy a proposal.

That someone will say all the right things and get some of this company's money. They'll make this person feel warm and fuzzy about the potential and how great things are going to be. Then, three months from now, that company is going to be out of money and pissed.

...For a new Web site trying to compete in one of the most competitive areas of SEO, the answer for "how long" might be two years, or more.

...SEO is an investment that will show you returns if you're committed to the process for however long it takes.

There are only 10 "top" positions in the search engines. Chances are, many of those in the top 10 have been doing SEO for a while. To compete with them, you'll have to do it for a while, too.

There you go - SEO isn't short term, but like most other advertising, it's long term. If you're patient and want to succeed, then invest in SEO. If you want results yesterday, then do pay-per-click (PPC) or buy other advertising. The best solution is to do both long term SEO and some PPC.

Depending on the website, it could take some time. New websites won't even get fully indexed and added to Google for 4 months or more (up to a year). Redesigned websites can also take some time depending on the industry, keywords, size of the website, relevant content, keyword targeting and budget. Like most anything else, you get out of it what you put into it.

-Tony

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